From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from India Tyre & Rubber Company regarding the features and potential patent issues of the Michelin 'Pilot' tyre.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 157\6\ scan0181 | |
| Date | 17th November 1937 | |
| 1336 INDIA TYRE & RUBBER COMPANY, LTD. TELEPHONES PAISLEY 4141/5 INCHINNAN SCOTLAND TELEGRAMS: INDIATYRE, RENFREW. OUR REF. PW/IK. YOUR REF. 17th November, 1937. S.H. Grylls, Esq., Rolls-Royce Limited, DERBY. Dear Mr. Grylls, With further reference to your letter regarding the Michelin 'Pilot' tyre, we do not believe that Michelin has any exclusive patents on this tyre which would interfere with the proposed design which we are making for you to try out. We understand that this tyre has only been introduced in France up to date and that it was designed to replace their 140 x 40, 150 x 40 and 160 x 40 tyres. The 'Pilot' tyre fits a special wheel and fits a 30% wider rim. The advantages are reduction in weight and cost due to reduced diameter and they will probably get some increased cornering power due to the wider rim and squat section. The disadvantages are that there will be reduced resistance to tread cracking and concussion bursts and increased liability to casing break-up due to the increased percentage in deflection. The tread life will probably be reduced. Yours faithfully, INDIA TYRE & RUBBER COMPANY, LTD. [Signature] Works Manager. | ||